Is Heat roster still lacking?

ASK IRA:

March 22, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

A: It's interesting, because some (if not most) of LeBron's best ball of the season came when as Dwyane Wade was working himself back to the point of health he is now. During those 2011 Finals, and even through most of that 2010-11 season, LeBron had difficulty adjusting to when to defer and when to take over. Now Wade is getting many of the fourth-quarter looks (although that wasn't necessarily the case Friday) and I'm wondering if LeBron is again caught between deferring and dominating. His postgame comments indicate a lack of comfort during certain situations, with perhaps another readjustment process in play.

Q: At what point does Erik Spoelstra go after this team? If he can't or won't, then Pat Riley needs to! Their play is simply pathetic! No excuses. -- Faye.

A: Well, after giving them Thursday off and going without a game-morning shootaround on Friday, Erik has them back at practice for a Saturday session. It's a fine balance after making it to the NBA Finals each of the past three seasons. On one hand, the Heat again could be playing into late June. On the other hand, Spoelstra has to make sure there is enough precision in place to make it that far. But this is not about Spoelstra or Riley. It's about the Heat's leaders stepping up, LeBron being more forceful late, Wade taking the right shots, Chris Bosh doing more than shooting 3-pointers.

Q: I am good with the Justin Hamilton move. He's young, big and can score, and he rebounds. I wish they could find one more player who plays point. -- Chet.

A: Hamilton is all about the future. By signing him for the balance of the season, the Heat know they can have him in their summer program. Remember, there should be plenty opportunities for youth next season, with Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and James Jones among those at the ends of their contracts. Hamilton and 2013 second-round pick James Ennis should get first crack at roster spots, along with the Heat's first-round pick, with Riley already out scouting college tournaments. As for point guard, the Heat already have Toney Douglas. He probably is as good as anything they could get at this point (although I remain intrigued by Roddy Beaubois, especially if they could get him to commit to a team option for next season, provided he finally is healthy). But you're right, Friday was yet another uneven performance by the Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole tandem.

March 14, 2014

(Note: The mailbag was preposterous Thursday. If you didn't know better, you would have thought the Heat were . . . the Kings [sorry, Sacramento]. If nothing else, it was an early reminder of what life will be like if the Heat were to lose a game in the playoffs. That is all. We now rejoin the dialing venting, already in progress . . . )

Q: The Heat are going as far as LeBron James takes them. He keeps playing passive. The Heat won't even make it to the conference finals. LeBron is the problem. -- Bobby.

A: And to think, they bypassed the opportunity to deal him for Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline. Oh well, guess they'll have to find a way around LeBron's brief lapse into ordinary stardom. The reality is it has been three weeks since LeBron broke his nose, which just might account for less of an attacking style. Or it could be that he has pushed through the schedule while his co-star has taken extended breaks. LeBron is never the problem; sometimes he's just not as much of the solution. The problem lately has been quality defensive plays from Jimmy Butler and Shaun Livingston. Sometimes the other guys are pretty good, too.

A: Michael's job during those initial stints is to inspire confidence for another opportunity when the game is on the line in the second half. That was not the case in Beasley's initial stint Wednesday. Yes, there is a shorter rope for Michael than others in the rotation. But sometimes it's not about being fair (just ask Udonis Haslem).

Q: Ira, the real Heat fans are not panicking. We're just all waiting for the playoffs to start, just like they are. -- Eric.

A: And there certainly is something to be said about perspective (thank you). But the flick-the-switch mentality can be dangerous. I do think the recent struggles have highlighted some areas of concerns, including whether there is championship depth in place.

March 13, 2014

Q: Erik Spoelstra always talk about positive aspects of the game even when the team plays poorly. Sometimes a coach needs to call out his team when they are underperforming. -- Joel.